State Rep. Adam Koenig (right) talks with Brent Cooper, interim president of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. / The Enquirer/Patrick Reddy

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That’s why the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has led an annual lobbying trip to Frankfort for more than 15 years.

Local business, political and community leaders travel to the state Capitol every February for a jam-packed day and night of lobbying lawmakers to enact legislation that would benefit the region and to send some state dollars our way.

But one day alone isn’t enough to drive that message home.

While the annual lobbying trip is the biggest and most visible advocacy effort on behalf of the region, it’s actually just one piece in a much broader strategy.

“We’ve learned that for us to effect change, we need to be eyeball-to-eyeball with our legislators more than we have been in the past,” said Adam Caswell, vice president of public affairs for the Chamber.

On Wednesday’s trip, hundreds of Northern Kentuckians met with legislative leaders, statewide officials and Gov. Steve Beshear, and then wined and dined them over an open bar and local goodies like Skyline Chili and Graeter’s ice cream.

The group included university presidents and corporate executives, and local government leaders and small business owners. They made their voices heard on issues such the heroin crisis, tax reform, and casino gambling.

The event is designed to give Northern Kentuckians a better idea of how they can be most effective in Frankfort – and remind lawmakers of the region’s importance to the rest of the state.

The Chamber is the only regional organization lobbying for Northern Kentucky in Frankfort, and it has always had a strong presence there. In addition to the lobbying trip, it employs a full-time lobbyist, sends staff and volunteers to testify for or against bills at committee meetings, and works daily behind the scenes on behalf of the region’s priorities.

But last year, Northern Kentucky lawmakers told the organization they wanted to see community leaders in Frankfort more often. At the same time, the Chamber’s own members said they wanted to see more emphasis placed upon advocacy efforts in Frankfort and Washington, D.C.

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The Chamber listened.

Now, a small group of business leaders visits Frankfort every Tuesday to meet with lawmakers in person on issues, from the Brent Spence Bridge replacement to the state budget and road plan. The Chamber, which has 1,700 members, also hired a second full-time staffer to work on advocacy efforts.

“It’s a different way of playing the game,” said Brent Cooper, who begins Monday as interim Chamber president. “In-person relationships make all the difference.”

It’s easy for Northern Kentucky lawmakers to get sucked into a vacuum in Frankfort, focusing their time and energy on issues and legislation from other parts of the state.

Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Taylor Mill, told the Chamber group that the biggest lobbying effort underway in Frankfort right now is actually for the legalization of marijuana – not exactly a high priority for our region, where the legislative agenda focuses upon education funding and projects and job-stimulating measures.

But seeing and hearing from community leaders on a regular basis helps local lawmakers keep local issues in the front of their minds.

“In this business, we get pulled in 1,000 different directions,” said Rep. Adam Koenig, R-Erlanger. “To have people in front of us every single week, reminding us of their priorities, is pretty important.”

The Chamber’s change in direction may be coming at the perfect time.

For the past several years, the state budget has been bleak and partisan squabbles have blocked many a worthy bill, including an angel investor tax credit considered critical to Northern Kentucky.

This year feels different, not only because of what Caswell calls a “bold” budget proposed by Gov. Steve Beshear, but also a new attitude of cooperation among legislative leaders.

“There is a lot to like about what’s happening in Frankfort right now,” Caswell said.⬛